Why Hers Is The Most Popular Substack in America

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Trish Nelson

She’s great and Al is always fun. Her book Democracy Awakening is a NYT bestseller.

“Heather Cox Richardson says that Trumpers have bought into an alternative reality and that we are, at this moment, on a knife’s edge. She’s an historian and not a clairvoyant. But she’s also an activist, doing all she can to spread the word through historical analysis.”

She describes her book as “..the story of how authoritarians can use language and history to destabliize and destroy democracy. Then how they can turn that into a movement but crucially.. the final third of the book which I think is by far the most interesting, is how you reclaim democracy turning those tools on their head.”

To me no discussion of “how we got here” is  worth listening to without acknowledging the role of the right wing media ecosystem, which they did – including the Fairness Doctrine, alternative facts, Russia and more.

Highlights:

“If it hadn’t been for Limbaugh maybe there would be no Trump” – Al Franken

“I have always thought of Rush Limbaugh as the big bang of the right wing disinformation universe.” Al Franken

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An Open Letter To Governor Reynolds

Posted on January 8, 2024 by Trish Nelson

This was a public post someone reposted in the IDP Rural Caucus Discussion Group. I thought it was one of the best comments I’ve seen in the terrible aftermath of Iowa’s first school shooting and wanted it to reach a wider audience. Please share. Republicans plan to relax gun laws in Iowa yet again in the upcoming session. Politicians only respond to public pressure.

by Troyce Fisher

Dear Governor Reynolds,

The picture of you and your grief-stricken face at the press conference in Perry on Thursday reflects the pain and shock all Iowans feel at the horror of the school shooting there. You graciously pledged at that press conference to provide the “full resources of the state government to provide support” to the Perry community for its healing.
Did you mean it? Are you sincere? If so, prove it.

Prove it to the young people who all of a sudden have been forced to grow up too soon to what hatred can do. Prove it to the hurting families in Perry. Prove it to the educators there who work so hard every day to help EVERY student achieve in a safe and caring environment. Prove it to all Iowans who mourn for Perry while fearing that the same thing will happen in their communities.

You could start here:

Stop marginalizing LGBTQ students and creating a culture of “the other.” All kids get hurt when some kids are viewed as outcasts.

Reverse your decision to refuse EBT funds for summer programs for hungry kids. There are plenty of kids in Perry who don’t need to go hungry on top of everything else they’re being asked to process.

Stop the attacks on funding AEAs and the work they do to help special education students, provide crisis team supports, and help educators meet the demands of 21st century learning.

Provide educators with the resources for professional development they need to deal with bullying and students with mental health issues.

Quit your association with Moms for Liberty and its venomous and outrageous positions.
Fund a truly robust mental health system that provides quality, timely, affordable, and easily accessible help to children who need it.

Honor the federal judge’s ruling blocking “wildly overbroad” Senate File 496 (book banning and curriculum decisions) that marginalizes certain students and undermines educators’ authority and local control.

Increase state aid to public schools to support the hard work that educators do every day to educate and protect ALL kids.

Back sensible gun laws in Iowa.

Stop bleeding public schools by siphoning off their public dollars to private schools (ESA)
Thoughts and prayers are easily offered. The flags you ordered be at half staff will be raised on Sunday. Politicians wearing “Perry Strong” hoodies will soon go back to their offices, Then what?

What happens at the state level will either help or harm Perry’s healing. You have promoted a system that increasingly puts poor children, hungry children, hurting children, and “different” children on the sidelines to promote your political agenda. Now all children in Perry suffer from those actions. Stop the madness.

Troyce Fisher, Ed. D.
Clear Lake, IA

(Fisher is a retired educator who spent most of her 43-year career in administration).

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Reducing Consumption of Animal Products

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Paul Deaton
Black-eyed peas, rice, and cornbread: First meal of 2024.

An uncomfortable truth about environmentalism — that no one wants to discuss, especially in Iowa — is the amount of land used to feed and husband animals. To say it another way, the best thing we could do to mitigate the effects of ongoing climate disruption is to drastically reduce the amount of animal products consumed by humans. Not by a little, but by a lot… and immediately.

In his recent book, We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast, author Jonathan Safran Foer wrote about this. In the appendix he discusses how he came to the environmental impact animal husbandry makes. It ranges from 14.5 and 51 percent among different experts. How does one even begin to address this? Here in Iowa, someone who suggests humans stop eating animals and their dairy products wouldn’t get one minute of attention. They would be run out of the state.

The State of Iowa developed into an agricultural state and with reason. The prairie that existed after the 1832 Black Hawk War is almost gone. In its place is a grid of once fertile fields and crop land to take advantage of our temperate climate, rich soil, and adequate rainfall. It seems quite organized in 2024. It is. It is organized to extract as many crops from this ground as it can, growing corn and beans fence row to fence row. If the nutritional content of the soil isn’t what it used to be, there are fertilizers to help. While not all of the corn and soybeans is fed to animals, the contribution Iowa-style farming makes to environmental degradation is astounding.

Safran Foer would have the population take collective action to reduce or eliminate consumption of animal products. As the title of his book suggests, he asks us as to eat no animal products before the evening meal. The problem, he points out, is that people will convert to a “plant-based diet” or “go vegan” in order to check a box, assuage guilt, and feel hope, rather than taking more substantial, collective action to mitigate the causes of climate disruption related to agriculture. This is a problem wanting a solution. Because it is controversial, few appear to be working on it.

As we face the climate crisis, it is important for our own sanity to feel like we contribute to solutions as individuals. Actions like reducing gasoline use, reducing natural gas use, reducing electricity use, eating less meat and dairy, and growing some of our own food are all important. These actions matter, yet what matters more is what we, as a society, do collectively.

While I type this post people are working to expand U.S. export of liquefied natural gas. Government support for this is among the crazy things the Trump and Biden administrations have in common. The level of methane pollution of this export operation is mind-boggling and Biden could do something about it. It is just one example of how collective advocacy could make a difference in reducing methane pollution. Few people even realize what is going on and that’s a problem.

The meal shown in the photograph above has no animal products in it. It was satisfying from the standpoint of living a New Year’s Day tradition, and from a save the planet perspective. I checked off the box and feel good. However, there is much more to do to organize our neighbors and encourage our government to take more affirmative climate action. That is just as important as what we eat.

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After COP 28 Keep On The Sunny Side

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Paul Deaton
Dubai, UAE site of COP 28 – Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric on Pexels.com

I met with State Senator Joe Bolkcom before he retired to discuss ways to mitigate the effects of climate change. He told me something important as we finished our conversation. “Join a group and get active,” he said. What does that mean?

With a challenge so big it involves all of the populated regions of the globe, one person’s impact is not as useful as when we work with others to solve the climate crisis. As we face its challenges, it is important for our own sanity to feel like we contribute to solutions as individuals. Actions like reducing gasoline use, reducing natural gas use, reducing electricity use, eating less meat and dairy, and growing some of our own food are all important. These actions matter, yet what matters more is what we, as a society, do collectively. That was Bolkcom’s point.

On Dec. 13, 2023, delegates to the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28) agreed to transition away from fossil fuels. This despite heavy lobbying from delegates representing fossil fuel interests to do nothing.

Nearly 200 countries struck a breakthrough climate agreement Wednesday, calling for a transition away from fossil fuels in an unprecedented deal that targets the greatest contributors to the planet’s warming. The deal came swiftly — with no discussion or objection — in a packed room in Dubai following two weeks of negotiations and rising contention. It is the first time a global climate deal has specifically called to curb the use of fossil fuels.

Countries clinch unprecedented deal to transition away from fossil fuels, Washington Post, Dec. 13, 2023.

Is the cup half full or half empty? Citizens engaged in solving the climate crisis should take the positive which this agreement represents even though it falls short of our aspirations.

When I activated an account on Threads, one of the first accounts I followed was climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe who is active on that platform. We had this exchange about COP 28, in which I quote-posted her report from COP 28:

As Hayhoe said in the talk referenced above (Here is a link), the challenge is to move from worried to activated. It is not only possible, it is imperative that advocates for solving the climate crisis do so.

Back to my question, is the cup half full or half empty when progress toward transitioning from fossil fuels saw such resistance at COP 28?

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) said after COP 28 closed, “A small, self-interested minority of states cannot be allowed to block the progress necessary to put our entire planet on a path to climate safety.”

2023 was a disastrous year for our climate. We experienced the hottest year on record and the extended Iowa drought impacted corn and soybean yields. Rivers and lakes began to dry up. What gets overlooked is that just as the climate crisis seems to get worse, actions to tackle the problem are ramping up. There were environmental wins out of COP 28:

  • The cost of solar power has fallen by around 90% and wind by 70% in the past decade.
  • The majority of new energy capacity being added in the U.S. and globally is solar, wind, and battery storage; these renewables already account for nearly 14% of the U.S. energy production and 12% worldwide.
  • Electric vehicles are becoming cheaper and more attractive. For the first time, more than one million EVs have been sold in the United States in a calendar year.
  • At COP28, delegates took a historic step in establishing a loss and damage fund, the latest development in a three-decades-long fight to have wealthy, high-emitting countries compensate vulnerable, developing ones for the harms of climate change.

For more positive news, read Katarina Zimmer’s complete article on Atmos.

Despite its shortcomings, COP 28 marked a major step forward for the environmental movement. For the first time ever, a COP agreement explicitly acknowledges the main culprit responsible for the climate crisis is fossil fuels. While the agreement falls short of what many of us wanted, it still reflects progress in a decades long struggle to address the climate crisis. We should keep on the sunny side and build on this progress by finding other, like-minded people and getting active.

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Biden Remarks Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Paul Deaton

On Friday, January 5, 2023, President Joe Biden gave this speech near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania to kick off his re-election campaign. It is worth a listen.

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March For Our Lives Iowa Statement On Perry Shooting: “Your Inaction Is Killing Us”

Posted on January 5, 2024 by Trish Nelson

“Your inaction is killing us” — March For Our Lives Iowa Statement on Recent Perry Shooting

Perry, Iowa — On January 4th, 2024, at 7:40 am, an active shooter was reported at Perry High School, on the first day back from winter break. Police and medical resources surrounded the school and confirmed the presence of a shooter. Multiple people were shot and injured in the shooting and 2 students were transported to the hospital. An administrator was also shot. The shooter has been reported dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

March For Our Lives Iowa offers condolences to those in the Perry area who are affected. This shooting occurs just two years after the shooting at East High School in the Des Moines metro area and one year after the shooting at Starts Right Here, a non-profit organization for at-risk youth in downtown Des Moines. March For Our Lives Iowa is outraged by the recent events and will remain determined in our fight for gun violence prevention.

With gun violence on the rise in Iowa, MFOLIA demands the Iowa State Legislature support its communities and school systems that are currently facing the threat of gun violence. Youth leaders at MFOLIA send an unequivocally clear message to their legislators: Your inaction is killing us.

This recent tragedy proves how dangerous the proposed omnibus gun bill, which would allow guns to be stored in cars on school properties, is to Iowans. Legislators must pass gun safety policies outlined in our 2024 Legislative Agenda in this upcoming legislative session as well as oppose this harmful omnibus bill.

MFOLIA will not stop fighting for justice and a safer Iowa. We plead and urge Iowans to contact their legislators and continue speaking out about the injustices of the current gun legislation.

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Dind your state representative
Dind your state senator
Contact Governor Reynolds @ 515-281-5211 or use the online form

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The Killing Must Stop

Posted on January 4, 2024 by Trish Nelson

This is a letter to the editor submitted to Blog for Iowa by our friend Ed Flaherty, peace activist. This letter was also sent to local papers.

22,000 Gazans Killed, More Dying

On January 1, 2024 it was announced that over 22,000 Gazans, mostly women and children, have been killed by Israeli forces since October 7th. Only eleven of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are functioning, and those barely by a string. Over 57,000 Gazans have been wounded. 85% of Gazans are homeless. Food, clean water, fuel, and medical supplies are very scarce, and the supplies that are allowed in via two Israeli-controlled check-points are grossly inadequate.

The U.S. has refused to support the cease-fire that most of the world insists upon. Instead, we have sent more arms to Israel and plan to send much more. If the US refuses to do what it can to stop the killing, might it not be of greater assistance in getting humanitarian aid to Gaza? I can imagine that the two US aircraft carrier groups in the Mediterranean, forty ships in all, have ample humanitarian supplies, and could get resupplied in short order. Why not airlift supplies into areas of Gaza that Hamas and Israel would certify as “deconflicted?” I can imagine the holiday spirit feeling among Navy crews knowing they were helping save lives.

The killing must stop. But until it does, the death toll from injuries, starvation, exposure and disease will accelerate. The world’s view of the U.S. would improve if we took modest but aggressive steps to help stop the dying. That surely should be possible in this season when many celebrate the birth, two millennia ago, of a Palestinian baby

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For more information:

https://time.com/6344440/us-vetoes-un-resolution-gaza-ceasefire-backlash/

https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-doubles-down-on-resettlement-of-gazans-rejecting-us-criticism/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Health_Ministry

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Most Iowans Agree With Progressive Policies

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Trish Nelson

Please share this action alert from ICAN

Hands Around The Capitol
Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024
Iowa State Capitol Rotunda
1007 E Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA
11:30: check through Security
12 Noon: Join hands for two minutes of silence, followed by speakers

On Jan. 6, 2024, citizens from around the state will join hands at 12:00 noon for two minutes of silence around the rotunda inside the state Capitol building in Des Moines. This is to show solidarity and support for forward-thinking policies that help regular citizens of Iowa. The silence will represent the way in which Iowan’s voices have been suppressed.

The majority of Iowans have common-sense views on a majority of issues. They might not agree on everything, but they want the state to move forward, not backward. (See poll data below)

“For years, the conservative-controlled Iowa Legislature and Governor’s Office have
passed and signed bills that favor corporate interests, while ignoring middle class Iowans,
making the rich richer, and taking rights away from Iowans.” said Charlie Wishman, President of the Iowa AFL-CIO.

“Like me, many progressives have participated in marches or rallies demonstrating for a particular cause, such as fair wages, strong public education, reproductive rights, voting rights, or gun safety,” organizer Becky Sisco said. “But our attention has been divided, and our voices have gotten lost. We need to act as one and show our strength.”

“We want this event to spark further activity among Iowans, whether that be contacting law makers, posting information on social media, supporting progressive candidates or taking other action,” said Sue Dinsdale, Executive Director of Iowa Citizen Action Network. “This is meant to be more than a one-off proposition. It will take persistent, on-going work to bring Iowa government in alignment with the citizens of Iowa.”

Iowa Citizen Action Network is part of a wide coalition supporting this event.

For more information and issue papers click this link

  • Poll numbers

– 61% believe abortion should be legal in most cases (Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa, Aug. ’23)
– 52% opposed scholarships for private schools (University of Iowa Policy and Opinion Lab, May ’22)
– 66% are worried about the effects of climate change (University of Iowa Policy and Opinion Lab, March ’22)
– 85% think the minimum wage should be increased (University of Iowa Policy and Opinion Lab, May ’21)
– 65% want undocumented immigrants to have a clear path to citizenship (Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa, Feb. ’18)
– 71% approve of labor unions (Gallup, Sept. ’22)
– 79% support background checks for all gun sales (Public Policy Polling, Sept. ‘20)
– 53% opposed the reduction in corporate income taxes (Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa, March ’22)
– 54% of those who’d heard of critical race theory support teaching it (Iowa Policy and Opinion Lab, March ’22)
– 52% opposed shortening the early-voting period (New York Times, March ’21)
– 71% oppose allowing parents to sue school districts for distributing books they believe to be obscene (Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa, March ’22)
– 53% oppose requiring parental consent for checking out a book (Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa, March ’23)
– 53% opposed cutting benefits to laid-off workers (Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa. March ’23)

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Iowa City Council To Vote On Cease Fire Resolution

Posted on January 2, 2024 by Trish Nelson

The Iowa City Council will meet on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 6pm to vote on a resolution “supporting a permanent ceasefire in Palestine and Israel, the return of all captives, and the delivery of humanitarian aid; and affirming opposition to antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab bigotry with the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution.”

As far as we know, Iowa City would be the first community in Iowa to pass a cease fire resolution for Palestine and Israel. Hopefully, more will follow.  Click here to sign the endorsement if you live n Iowa City.  See below for text of resolution.

Full text of City Council Resolution

Resolution supporting a permanent ceasefire in Palestine and Israel, the return of all captives, and the delivery of humanitarian aid; and affirming opposition to antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab bigotry with the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution.

Whereas, all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law; and

Whereas, over 1,200 Israelis were killed on October 7th, over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7th 2023, as of January 2, 2024, and people of other nationalities have been killed; and

Whereas, continued hostilities have forced 85% of Palestinians in Gaza and 5-10% of Israelis to flee their homes; and

Whereas, hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk without an immediate permanent ceasefire, restoration of basic necessities, and delivery of adequate and unconditional humanitarian aid without delay to the Palestinian people; and

Whereas, more than one hundred Israeli captives are held by Hamas and more than 7,000 Palestinian captives are held without due process under Israeli martial law; and

Whereas, the United States government and our elected leaders hold immense diplomatic power to save Palestinian and Israeli lives, and US law requires that foreign military aid not be used in the contravention of international law; and

Whereas, the United States provides ongoing military aid to Israel, of which approximately $748,000 annually came from taxpayers in Iowa City, as well as humanitarian aid to Palestine, of which approximately $31,000 annually came from Iowa City taxpayers during the period from 2017 to 2022; and

Whereas, the majority of nations in the UN have voted in favor of a ceasefire resolution, and millions of people worldwide, including residents of Iowa City, have joined in peaceful protests since October 7 to amplify this call; and

Whereas, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab bigotry, and antisemitism have risen significantly across the United States, and around the world, with direct impacts on communities – from synagogues and mosques to schools, universities, homes, offices, and places where communities gather, as well as at protests and rallies; and

Whereas, all of these forms of bigotry, violence, and oppression serve to divide our communities and weaken our efforts to achieve collective safety, justice, and true multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious democracy here and everywhere.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Iowa City that:

The City of Iowa City unequivocally condemns both the attack on October 7, 2023 by Hamas, and the killing of civilians in Gaza and West Bank by the state of Israel; and

The City of Iowa City affirms its commitment to combat anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab bigotry, antisemitism, and Islamophobia; and

The City of Iowa City affirms its support for all people in Palestine and Israel to live in peace, justice, and security; and

The City of Iowa City affirms its support for the rights of all people, including residents of Iowa City, to live, learn, work, play, worship, and engage in peaceful protest, all without intimidation, coercion, or the threat of violence; and

The City of Iowa City asks our congressional delegation to support all resolutions and legislation that match the values stated throughout this Iowa City resolution, especially those that aim to alleviate the urgent humanitarian disaster in Gaza, such as US House Resolution No. 786; and

The City of Iowa City affirms first-amendment rights of citizens to criticize government or government policy, and affirms that criticism of governments in Israel and Palestine is not inherently antisemitic or anti-Arab; and

The City of Iowa City supports the delivery of immediate, unconditional, and sufficient humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza; and

The City of Iowa City affirms its commitment to US laws requiring that arms transfers be used in accordance with international law; and

The City of Iowa City resolves that the Iowa City Clerk’s Office will provide a copy of this resolution to the members of the Iowa State legislature, the Iowa State Governor, and the United States Congressional delegations from Iowa.

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Our 2024 Predictions

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Trish Nelson

As I was conducting a year-end review of Blog for Iowa, I noted with interest that our most read post in 2023 was KCCI Interview Exposes Reynolds’ Deeply Flawed Voucher Plan with 2,542 views.  Could this be a harbinger of spring in the winter of Iowa politics? A shift from redder than red to blue?  Is the proverbial pendulum swinging back?

Here are some predictions for 2024 from myself and Blog for Iowa co-editors, Paul Deaton and Dave Bradley.

First, I predict Reynolds’ school voucher bill and turning back federal funds for food for low income kids will be the death knell for her tenure as governor.

Second, I predict at least two Republican members of congress from Iowa will not retain their seats. Not going out on a limb but Democrats have some very strong candidates and despite all the media poll talk, this could easily be one of those years (again) where nobody really knows what’s going to happen.

Third, I’m betting on Joe Biden. I’m betting on Jack Smith and Fani Willis. I’m betting on the silent majority of American people. I’m betting on a win for Democracy in 2024.

Paul Deaton:  I predict young voters will definitely not sit this election out despite whatever issues they have with Washington politicians. They will turnout in large numbers for Democratic candidates. Same with female voters motivated by Trump’s setting up the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. They will swing Democratic.

Dave Bradley:  Young voters will come out for Biden in big numbers as will women. Dobbs v. Jackson will serve as a real starting point for many women. Add in the horrors of what is happening in places like Texas and Ohio where women are nearly dying or being charged with crimes for a miscarriage. I think this will drive record number of women to the polls to regain their rights. I think this will carry down the ballot even to state house races where Republicans will be hard pressed to defend their positions. I am thinking Feenstra may be the only R left in the US House for Iowa.

Seems to me the media has taken the effect of the Dobbs decision lightly despite what Kansas and Ohio told them as they try to help republicans

There will be a lot of stories to finish that are left over from 2023:

First I have a feeling that Trump will have a major medical situation. Recent appearances have been rather unhinged indicating he is not hitting on all cylinders. I see the Republican Party imploding whether Trump is ill of not. Too many down ballot candidates will see their far-right agendas being very unpopular so they will be damned if they stick with Trump or damned if they don’t.

Second, there will have to be some resolutions to Trump’s various legal issues. I suspect his losing streak will continue and at some point he will be convicted and a jail sentence imposed. The 14th amendment case and the “presidential immunity” cases will be heard by SCOTUS and Trump will lose both in divided decisions. (My guess Roberts, Boofer, possibly Gorsuch joining the liberals).

Inflation will continue to fall and the Fed will back down interest. The economy stays good as Biden’s policy of funneling money to the middle and bottom continues to pay dividends.

Republicans try once again to shut down the government and are met with massive resistance from voters.

All the Republican shenanigans plus a good Biden economy and decent paying jobs lead to a very blue wave in November.

Iowa’s women win NCAAA title. Caitlin Clark MVP. Stuelke and Martin all Big 10 selections.  Europe helps Ukraine fend off Russia until Republicans relent on funding. Mike Johnson thrown out as Speaker.

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And there you have it.  Happy New Year to all our faithful followers!

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